Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has cut short his visit to the United States after experiencing health issues, Serbia’s public broadcaster RTS reported on Saturday.
Vučić reportedly sought medical assistance late on Thursday evening, Central European Time, and decided to return to Belgrade following a medical evaluation. He had been in the U.S. preparing for a series of meetings when his condition worsened.
During his stay, Vučić met with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani in Florida on Thursday. He was also scheduled to hold talks with several senior Republican officials.
According to reports by Tanjug, Vučić began feeling unwell in the early afternoon local time. Finance Minister Siniša Mali and media adviser Suzana Vasiljević were present with the president at the time, following meetings with Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, and members of the Serbian business community in the U.S.
No official comment has been provided by the president’s office. RTS reported that more details will be shared with the public in the coming days.
Richard Grenell, former U.S. envoy for special missions, wished Vučić a swift recovery. “All the best. Sorry we didn’t meet—hope everything is okay,” Grenell wrote on social media platform X.
Vučić had previously announced plans to travel to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations on May 9, despite criticism from the European Union over the visit amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
“Relations with Moscow cannot continue as if nothing is happening,” EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said following Vučić’s announcement. The Serbian president has insisted he will not cancel the trip.
